Remember those rainy afternoons or lazy weekends looking for something, anything, to pull the kids away from screens? Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. How about diving into a project that combines creativity, a bit of recycling, and results in hours of classic fun? Let’s talk about crafting your very own checkers (or draughts, depending on where you’re from!) board and playing pieces. It’s more than just a craft; it’s about making memories and creating something tangible you can actually use together.
This isn’t just about saving a few pennies on buying a game. It’s about the process. Kids get a huge kick out of making something with their own hands, especially something they can then use to challenge Mum, Dad, or their siblings. It teaches patience (waiting for paint to dry is a life lesson!), basic planning, and the joy of seeing a project through from scattered materials to a finished product. Plus, using recycled items like bottle caps adds a neat little eco-friendly touch.
Gathering Your Crafting Treasures
Before we dive into the making, let’s round up our supplies. You probably have some of this stuff hiding around the house already!
- The Board Base: A square piece of wood is fantastic for durability. Plywood, MDF, or even a solid wood offcut works great. Aim for something around 12×12 inches (30×30 cm) or 16×16 inches (40×40 cm) – big enough for comfortable play. Sturdy cardboard (like from a large box) is another option if wood isn’t accessible.
- Measuring Tools: A ruler or measuring tape, and a pencil are essential for marking out those squares.
- Painting Supplies: Acrylic paints in at least two contrasting colours for the squares (classic black and white/red, or get creative!). You’ll also need two different colours for your playing pieces. Brushes of various sizes (a medium flat one for squares, smaller ones for details or pieces), plus maybe some sponges for texture. Don’t forget a palette (a paper plate works fine) and water container.
- Playing Pieces: Bottle caps! Start collecting plastic or metal ones. You need 24 in total (12 for each player). It’s wise to have a few spares just in case.
- Optional but Handy: Painter’s tape (for super crisp lines on the board), sandpaper (if your wood is a bit rough), primer (helps paint stick better, especially on wood and bottle caps), clear sealant or varnish (to protect your masterpiece).
Building Your Battlefield: The Board
This is where your game world takes shape. Take your time and enjoy the process.
Preparing the Surface
If you’re using wood, give it a light sand first, especially around the edges, to avoid splinters. Wipe away any dust. Applying a coat of primer at this stage can make the painting process smoother and the colours pop more, but it’s not strictly essential if you’re using good quality acrylics. Let the primer dry completely if you use it.
Mapping the Grid
A standard checkers board is an 8×8 grid, meaning 64 squares in total. Time to get measuring!
- Measure the total width of your board. Divide this number by 8. This gives you the size of each square. For example, a 16-inch board means each square will be 2 inches wide.
- Carefully mark out these measurements along all four edges of the board using your ruler and pencil.
- Connect the marks using your ruler and pencil to draw the grid lines. Double-check your lines are straight and your squares look, well, square!
Top Tip: For really sharp lines between squares, apply painter’s tape along the edges of the squares you *aren’t* painting first. Paint one colour, let it dry completely, remove the tape carefully, then tape off the painted squares to paint the second colour.
Let the Painting Begin!
Choose your two contrasting colours for the board squares. Think classic black and white, rustic brown and cream, or maybe vibrant blue and yellow! It’s your board, your rules (well, colour rules anyway).
Start painting alternate squares with your first colour. Encourage kids to paint *within* the lines, but don’t stress too much about perfection – it’s handmade charm! A second coat might be needed for solid coverage. Let the first colour dry completely. This is crucial! Patience here prevents colours from mixing into a muddy mess.
Once the first colour is bone dry, paint the remaining squares with your second colour. Again, allow ample drying time. Kids sometimes find dabbing paint on with a small sponge easier than using a brush for even coverage.
Safety First! Always choose non-toxic, child-safe paints and sealants, especially since little hands will be all over the board and pieces. Ensure you’re crafting in a well-ventilated area, particularly if using spray sealants. Adult supervision is highly recommended when sanding wood or using sharp tools like craft knives if you opt for more complex designs.
Adding the Finishing Touches
Once everything is thoroughly dry (maybe leave it overnight just to be sure), consider applying a coat or two of clear sealant or varnish. This protects your hard work from spills, scratches, and general wear and tear during enthusiastic game sessions. Choose a matte, satin, or gloss finish depending on the look you prefer. Ensure the sealant is also non-toxic and safe for handling.
Creating Your Army: The Playing Pieces
Now for the checkers themselves! Bottle caps are perfect – they’re readily available, a good size, and easy for little fingers to move.
Clean and Prep
Make sure your bottle caps are clean and dry. Wash off any sticky residue. If they are plastic, a very light sanding (or applying primer) can help the paint adhere better, but often good quality acrylics will stick okay without it.
Painting Your Players
You need 12 pieces in one colour and 12 in another. These colours should ideally contrast with each other and also be easily visible on *both* colours of your board squares. Maybe paint one set to match one square colour, and the other set a completely different, bright colour?
Lay the caps top-side up on some newspaper or a protected surface. Apply your first colour. Let them dry completely, then apply a second coat if needed. Flip them over and paint the other side if you want them fully coloured, though just painting the tops is usually sufficient. Repeat the process for the second set of 12 caps with your other chosen colour.
Get Creative: Don’t feel limited to solid colours! Kids might enjoy adding tiny details once the base coat is dry – simple patterns, dots, maybe even drawing tiny faces or symbols on them with paint pens or a fine brush. Just ensure the two sets remain clearly distinguishable.
How Many Again?
Remember the magic number: 12 pieces per player. Count them out! It’s always a good idea to paint one or two extra of each colour, just in case one gets lost under the sofa during a particularly exciting jump sequence.
Alternative Piece Ideas
No bottle caps? No problem! You could also use:
- Wooden discs (available from craft stores)
- Smooth, flat pebbles (painted, of course)
- Large, flat buttons (find two distinct types/colours)
- Air-dry clay moulded into discs
The key is having two sets of 12 easily distinguishable items that fit comfortably within the board squares.
Let the Games Begin!
Once your board is sealed and your pieces are dry, it’s time for the best part: playing! Set up the board (pieces go on the dark squares only in the first three rows closest to each player). If anyone needs a refresher on the rules of checkers/draughts, a quick search online will sort you out. The basic aim is to capture all your opponent’s pieces or block them so they cannot move.
There’s a special kind of satisfaction in playing a game that you poured your own time and creativity into. It feels different, more personal. Expect more careful moves, perhaps, as players admire their handiwork between turns!
Taking It Further
Why stop at a basic board?
- Themed Boards: How about a pirate theme with treasure chest squares and skull-and-crossbones pieces? Or a space theme with planets and rockets? Let your imagination run wild!
- Different Materials: Try making a fabric board using felt squares sewn or glued onto a backing – great for a roll-up travel version.
- Personalised Pieces: Use paint pens to add initials or tiny symbols to each piece.
- King Me! Differently: Instead of stacking captured pieces, maybe have a special set of ‘king’ caps ready (painted gold, perhaps?) to swap out when a piece reaches the other side.
Did You Know? A standard checkers or draughts board features an 8×8 grid totaling 64 squares. Traditionally, these squares alternate between dark and light colors. Play always occurs only on the dark squares, with each player starting with 12 pieces placed on these squares in the three rows nearest them.
More Than Just a Game
Creating your own checkers set is a fantastic way to spend quality time together as a family. It encourages creativity, resourcefulness, and provides a welcome break from digital distractions. You’re not just making a game; you’re building skills, fostering collaboration (even if it’s just deciding on colours!), and crafting something that will hopefully see many happy hours of play. So, gather those supplies, clear the table, and get ready for some hands-on fun that ends with a classic challenge!
